Wildcats fall in close game against Otters
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 1 week AGO
Wildcats player Bradley Swillie takes the ball across the court during the team’s matchup against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters.
COURTESY PHOTO/NEVAEH CAPETILLO
SEASIDE, Calif. — The Central Washington University men’s basketball team (3-2) split its time in the West Region Crossover on after falling to the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (2-0) on Saturday. This was following the Wildcat’s 80-68 victory over Menlo on Friday.
“We needed to do a better job of guarding the three-point line today. That was an emphasis going in, and we gave up 15 of them,” said Wildcats head coach Brandon Rinta. “I give our guys credit for fighting the whole game. We dug ourselves out of a hole and cut it to one possession. Just couldn’t get the stop we needed late.”
The Wildcats started off strong with a 7-0 run in the first half. The Otters would get on the board with a free throw, but CWU would respond with a layup from junior Jordan Clark.
Cal State would cut into the lead with a 4-2 run and then add on their score with a 6-0 run following a timeout. Wildcats player Eli Williams hit a three-point and Jalen Childs would make a layup to extend their lead, but the Otters would respond with a three pointer from Ariya Briscoe to make it a four point game.
The two teams would go back and forth through the remainder of the first half before going into halftime with the Otters taking the 40-38 lead.
In the second half the Otters would take a significant 15 point lead going up 83-71 with 4:39 left in the game. The Wildcats would rally for a 10-0 run to cut into the lead and have the score at 83-81 within the final two minutes.
The Otters would continue to apply pressure through free throws and dunks and the Wildcats would fall short ending the game 92-88 in favor of Cal State.
Bradley Swillie led the Wildcats in scoring with 29 total poins followed by Clark with 20. Clark also led the team with five assists, three steals, and a .500 shooting percentage and going 7-14 from the field.
Garrett Marrs led the team in rebounds with seven total boards followed by Clark and Williams with six rebounds each.
The Otters’ Michael Mora led the team with 29 points with both Mora and Joey Bilello scoring 8 rebounds. Jaeden Tengan led the team with 8 assists and Bilello and Ariya Brisco each had 11 blocks.
The three-point percentage was a big presence during the matchup with the Otters hitting 53.6% of its shots and CWU making 33.3%.
The Wildcats will return to Ellensburg to kick of the home opener 7 p.m. Friday against Chico State at the Nicholson Arena. The Otters will be hitting the road for their next five games beginning with a game against Jessup University at the Bill Holtz Classic on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
BOX SCORE:
CWU: 38-50: 88
CAST: 40-52: 92
ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Knights win in overtime shootout against Naches
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights girls soccer team (6-0-1) had a tight game against Naches Valley (5-1-1) Tuesday evening that came down to a penalty kick shootout that the Knights won 6-5. Though the game was ruled as a tie in official standings, winning the PKs brought excitement for the team. "We played hard and we never gave up," said Knights junior Sarah Bergeson who shot the final PK. "We're proud of us." The game was a defensive battle from the beginning with Naches making an early shot on goal that was stopped by Knights freshman goalkeeper Areli Romero. Following this, Royal gained possession of the ball and proceeded to apply pressure on the opposing goal for a majority of the half.
Knights fall in five-set match against Naches Valley
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights volleyball team (0-6) had a tough battle at home against Naches Valley Tuesday night as they fell 3-2 in the five-set game. "The first two sets were definitely rough," said Knights senior Graycie Kast. "We didn't have a lot of energy starting off, but that third set, we got our energy back and just started having fun and the game just came to us." The Knights fell behind early in the first set as they struggled to score, giving Naches Valley an advantage. Royal began to find momentum as the set went on to cut into the deficit, but Naches Valley remained dominant on the court to win 25-12.
Tigers girls XC takes first at Apple Ridge
EPHRATA— The Ephrata Tigers had a successful day at the Apple Ridge Run Invite Saturday as the boys took third overall, while the girls took first out of 20 schools that competed. Tigers Head Coach Lyndsy Roberts said he was very proud of the way his athletes performed in the early season meet. "Our girls showed up and competed," said Roberts. "They didn't back down from the competition and proved they are going to be a team to watch this year. Winning this meet was a big step for the program." The Apple Ridge meet had a unique scoring format with three different race courses with two athletes scoring on each course, Roberts said. This gives a total of six scoring athletes rather than the traditional five.